Naval Drills in the Indian Ocean: Iran, Russia, and China Strengthen Military Ties

The navies of Iran, Russia, and China have begun a joint naval exercise in the Chabahar area, an Iranian port located off the coast of Oman. The aim of the exercise, according to official statements, is to enhance military cooperation between the three countries in the maritime domain. The maneuver is taking place in the northern Indian Ocean and is expected to last several days.

According to a report by the Iranian news agency, the exercise includes vessels from the Iranian navy and the naval branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, alongside Russian and Chinese warships and auxiliary ships. Iranian media emphasized that the three countries are united in their desire to "counter American hegemony," although official sources in Russia and China have not directly confirmed this statement.

The exercise has drawn international interest, with many countries sending observers to monitor it. These countries include Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, the UAE, and Iraq. The presence of these observers indicates the regional and international importance attributed to the event.

China sent a destroyer and a supply ship to the exercise, highlighting Beijing's seriousness about military cooperation with Iran and Russia. The news site "Defense Post" reported that last February, the Iranian navy conducted naval drills in the same area with the goal of "enhancing capabilities against any threat." The coincidence of these two events points to a trend of increased Iranian naval activity in the Indian Ocean region.

The joint exercise takes place against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and the West, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear program. It underscores the strengthening of ties between Iran, Russia, and China, and highlights the complex geopolitical challenges in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean region.